The Prince of Wales played an important role at his friend the Duke of Westminster's wedding on Friday, that of usher.
The Duke, also known as Hugh Grosvenor, married his fiancée Olivia Henson at Chester Cathedral at noon in what was dubbed the high-society wedding of the year.
The couple dated for two years before announcing their engagement in April 2023 after Hugh popped the question at his family home, Eaton Hall, located four miles from the cathedral and where the wedding reception will take place later this afternoon.
Westminster Wedding
Take a look at the best photos from the wedding day so far...
Flower-adorned Chester Cathedral
On the morning of the wedding, the Grade I-listed cathedral looked absolutely spectacular, with the main doors adorned with a floral arch. The flowers on display inside the cathedral included rambling roses, philadelphus, campanula, and orlaya grandiflora, as well as birch trees.
Following the wedding, the trees will be replanted at Hugh's family home, Eaton Hall, while the flowers will be repurposed and distributed to local organisations.
The bride and groom chose flowers from local growers through the 'Flowers from the Farm' network, which champions artisan growers. Many of the flowers seen also came from the Grosvenor's Eaton Estate.
Well-wishers line the streets of Chester
Crowds started to form early on Friday morning, with well-wishers hoping to catch a glimpse of the well-heeled guests, the bride and groom, and Prince William.
Ahead of the wedding, Hugh, 33, acknowledged the interest in his big day, telling Town & Country: "I also just wanted to make it very clear how unbelievably helpful people have been, how supportive they've been so far which I'm unbelievably grateful for.
"Because I do realise that it's going to be a big thing for the city. It's going to be certainly a huge thing for us, so we're just really grateful for all the help."
Prince William arrives
Looking smart in a morning suit, William was spotted arriving at Chester Cathedral with the rest of the ushers in a Mercedes van. They were dropped off at a side entrance.
William is the only senior royal in attendance, despite rumours that his ten-year-old son Prince George, the groom's godson, would act as one of Hugh's pageboys.
His wife Kate is undergoing preventative treatment for cancer and has not been seen publicly on a high-profile outing since Christmas Day 2023.
Meanwhile, William's father King Charles, who is Hugh's godfather, and wife Queen Camilla were also a no-show.
LISTEN: Why Princess Kate may still attend Trooping the Colour
Princess Eugenie's surprise appearance
William's cousin Princess Eugenie was previously not reported to be attending the wedding, although she had been spotted in Chester enjoying pre-wedding drinks with other guests on Thursday night.
Eugenie's wedding attire
Making an appearance at around 11am with her friend and former Vogue editor Violet Henderson-Vestey, the mother-of-two looked delightful in an olive green number by Joseph and a cream fascinator by Emily London Millinery.
She accessorized with an Anya Hindmarch clutch and wore nude suede pumps by Aquazzura.
WESTMINSTER WEDDING: AT A GLANCE
The Duke of Westminster and his bride-to-be, Miss Olivia Henson
Meet the bride
- Miss Olivia Henson, 31, was educated at Marlborough College, whose alumni include Kate and Pippa Middleton.
- She gained a a degree from Trinity in Ireland.
- Olivia is now Senior Account Manager at Belazu, a B-corp ingredient company.
The wedding venue
- The Duke and future Duchess of Westminster will tie the knot at the breathtaking Chester Cathedral
- The space is where his late father's memorial was held, and is set in the city where he grew up.
- Olivia revealed to Town & Country that Chester is "the place where we will live, where we will be building our lives together."
The wedding guests
- The Grosvenors are a family with a long-standing connection to the royal family; Hugh is a lifelong friend of Princes William and Harry.
- The Prince of Wales has been confirmed to be one of the Duke's ushers.
Which royal guests declined their invitation?
- Despite having a close relationship with the Duke, Prince Harry and Meghan reportedly declined their invitation.
- It has yet not been confirmed if King Charles, who is Hugh's godfather, will attend with Queen Camilla.
- The Princess of Wales is not expected to attend, amid her ongoing break from the spotlight as she undergoes treatmet for cancer.
- It is likely Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will not be in attendance.
Charlie van Straubenzee arrives with wife Daisy
Prince Harry's childhood friend Charlie van Straubenzee and his wife Daisy were among the guests pictured arriving.
Thomas van Straubenzee and wife Lucy arrive
Prince William's good friend Thomas van Straubenzee and his wife Lucy also made up the guest list.
Thomas is one of Princess Charlotte's godfathers, while Lucy taught Charlotte and George at their previous London school, Thomas's Battersea.
Charlie Gilkes and wife Anneke arrive
Another of Prince William and Prince Harry's close friends, Charlie Gilkes, and his wife Anneke, travelled to Chester for the high-society wedding.
The groom's brother-in-law Edward van Cutsem
Prince William's close friend Edward van Cutsem was spotted arriving with another guest.
Edward is married to the groom's sister Lady Tamara Grosvenor; the couple also chose to say "I do" at Chester Cathedral 20 years ago.
The groom's much-anticipated arrival
The groom and his best men rocked up at the cathedral in a green Land Rover Defender.
Hugh greeted by loud cheers
Looking just a little nervous, Hugh was met with cheers and applause as he arrived at Chester Cathedral at around 11:15am. He smiled and waved to the crowds of well-wishers.
Wedding ready
The groom was welcomed by The Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford, the Dean of Chester, who conducted the ceremony.
The Right Revd Mark Tanner preached, while Revd Canon Rosie Woodall led the prayers.
Speaking exclusively to HELLO! on the eve of the wedding, the Dean shared the significance of holding the wedding at the Duke's family church, highlighting Chester as a place the bride Olivia "has fallen in love with". He also expressed his pride in the couple for choosing this special venue for their wedding.
Mother-of-the-groom arrives
Members of the Grosvenor family who were spotted filing into the cathedral included the groom's mother, Natalia, Duchess of Westminster, who was widowed in 2016 when her husband Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster, died unexpectedly of a heart attack.
Natalia looked pretty in pink, matching her daughter Lady Edwina.
The groom's sisters arrive together
Natalia was flanked by her three daughters and Hugh's sisters, Lady Tamara, Lady Edwina, and Lady Viola, who all waved to the crowds before heading in for the ceremony.
Hugh van Cutsem
Hugh van Cutsem, a friend of the royals, was on hand to greet the groom's family as they arrived.
Hugh's daughter Grace famously acted as a bridesmaid at William and Kate's royal wedding in 2011, while his late father, Hugh van Cutsem Sr., was King Charles' best friend from Cambridge.
The bride and father-of-the-bride arrive!
Shortly before noon, blushing bride Olivia arrived at the cathedral with her father Rupert Henson.
They were chauffeured in a vintage Bentley, provided by the Heritage Collection of Bentley Motors in Crewe. The car was originally made for W.O. Bentley, the founder of Bentley Motors, in 1930.
Olivia's stunning bridal look
Olivia, 31, looked absolutely exquisite in a wedding dress and veil designed by London-based Emma Victoria Payne.
The bespoke embroidery design on her gown and veil was hand drawn and reimagined by the designer, incorporating floral motifs and edgings from Olivia's great-great-grandmother's veil from around 1880.
Her exquisite tiara
Much had been said about which tiara Olivia would wear on her wedding day.
She accessorized with the Faberge Myrtle Leaf Tiara made specifically for Grosvenor brides to wear at their nuptials. The tiara has been in the Grosvenor family since its creation in 1906.
The wedding bouquet
She carried a bouquet of flowers, picked from the Eaton Hall gardens, comprising Meadow grass, Ox eye daisies, Iris, Rose, Clematis, Mock orange, Scabious, Sweet pea, Astrantia, Martagon lily and Love in a mist.
Olivia's dress designer
Designer Emma Victoria Payne was on hand to make sure the bride was picture-perfect for her grand entrance.
Relaxed and happy
The bride gave one last wave to the crowds before entering the cathedral.
Ready to make her big entrance
How beautiful did Olivia look on her big day?
The bride and groom emerge
After about an hour, the bride and groom emerged from the ceremony and happily waved to crowds.
A kiss for the newlyweds
Hugh and Olivia gave the crowds what they wanted, sealing their love with a kiss.
The bride even joked about the strong winds, saying she was going to "take off".
Happily ever after
They looking blissfully happy as they were greeted with whoops and cheers from the public.
Wave to well-wishers
Another wave to the crowds before they headed to their wedding car.
Radiant bride
Olivia couldn't stop smiling on her big day.
Prince William departs
Prince William was seen smiling as he left the cathedral.
One onlooker cried out, "Best wishes to Kate," referencing the Prince's wife, to which he replied "Thank you" and waved.
Prince William mingles
The future King happily mingled with other guests after the service.
The van Cutsems
He was spotted chatting to his good friend William van Cutsem, who is another of Prince George's godfathers, and William's wife Rosie van Cutsem.
Princess Eugenie all smiles
His cousin Princess Eugenie, who attended without her husband Jack Brooksbank, was all smiles after the ceremony.
Hugh's aunt also in attendance
The groom's aunt Leonora Anson, Countess of Lichfield was pictured holding an order of service as she exited the cathedral.
Hugh's siblings gather after the ceremony
Hugh's sisters Lady Edwina (in pink) and Lady Viola (in red), as well as Edwina's presenter and historian husband Dan Snow, mingled outside the cathedral.
Lady Edwina and Dan Snow
A closer look at Lady Edwina's gorgeous wedding attire, which consisted of a Roksanda Ilincic dress and Malone souliers pointed toe mules.
Lady Viola and Angus Roberts
Hugh's sister Lady Viola, wearing a Selected Femme off-the-shoulder maxi dress and Aquazurra pumps and carrying a Fendi bag, was pictured with her husband Angus Roberts.
Olivia's parents
The bride's parents Caroline and Rupert were also seen chatting to the groom's mother, Natalia.
The bride and groom depart
Hugh and Olivia were chauffeured away in the Bentley Motors 1930 8-Litre.
Heading to the reception
The wedding reception is taking place at Eaton Hall, the Grosvenor family's ancestral seat, which Hugh inherited when his father Gerald passed away eight years ago.
Hugh is the richest man in the UK under the age of 40, boasting a fortune of £10.1 billion, making him far wealthier than his friend William and his godfather King Charles.
He amassed his wealth – his title, the family home Eaton Hall, and control of the historic Grosvenor Estate – aged 25. His property company, Grosvenor Group, of which he is Chair, owns about 300 acres of land in London's most affluent areas, Mayfair and Belgravia, as well as major city centre developments such as Liverpool's ONE shopping centre.
The Duke is also Chair of the Westminster Foundation, a charitable organisation that focuses on helping vulnerable youth and their families.
Father-of-the-bride and mother-of-the-groom
Olivia's father Rupert Henson and Hugh's mother Natalia waved off the happily couple as they headed for the reception.
Guests depart for the reception
The roughly 400 guests in attendance were whisked off in minibuses for the reception at Eaton Hall.